Millennial chef Mbali Khumalo (29) turned to cooking when she found herself grappling with depression after being diagnosed with the serious eye disease, keratoconus.

Her vision deteriorated rapidly, forcing her to leave school and putting her dreams on hold. Facing depression, she turned to the one thing that had always brought her comfort – cooking.

As her vision worsened, forcing her to give up her dreams of studying law, Khumalo spent countless hours in the kitchen, revamping her mother’s traditional African recipes. This process not only helped her heal emotionally but also ignited a passion for the culinary arts.

Cooking became her therapy, and her daily posts of meals on social media under the banner ‘Taste KZN’ gained traction and she soon became a brand unto herself. Despite her vision challenges, Khumalo pursued formal training at Capsicum Culinary School, refining her skills and propelling her career forward.

Her big break came in 2019 when she entered the iLembe Chamber of Commerce’s Entrepreneur Competition.

“We had just opened our café, and I didn’t fully understand the importance of a business plan,” said Khumalo. “The competition taught me to think outside the box and helped turn my small business into a success.”

Winning the competition expanded her network and gave her the confidence to scale her brand. She is now a popular choice as a chef for hire at private functions.

As she shares her Christmas feast recipes, Khumalo emphasises the importance of preparation.

“Cooking on Christmas Day should be enjoyable, not stressful,” she advises, encouraging others to embrace the joy of cooking while avoiding the pressure of last-minute preparation.

Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.

Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.